Two men indicted for attempted armed robbery of palisades national bank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2013

DENVER – Two men, Jose O. Jimenez and Bryan R. Morrow, have been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury charging them both with attempted armed bank robbery, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Palisade Police Department announced. In addition, Jimenez also faces firearms offenses. Jimenez was arraigned on the indictment in U.S. District Court in Denver yesterday (May 16th). Morrow is currently being held on unrelated charges, and is expected to make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Grand Junction on May 22, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

According to the Indictment, on August 20, 2011 Jimenz and Morrow did knowingly by force and violence, and by intimidation, attempt to take money from Palisades National Bank, located in Palisade, Colorado. The indictment further alleges that Jimenez, a fugitive from Washington State, did knowingly possess a firearm which previously had been transported in interstate commerce. Jimenz is also accused of possessing a Glock 22 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol he obtained during the armed bank robbery.

“This was a brazen attempt to rob this bank,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “Thanks to the efforts of the FBI and the Palisade Police Department, the community, which was traumatized by this crime, can rest easy knowing those responsible have been apprehended.”

“These indictments illustrate the FBI’s commitment to work with its partners to address violent crime,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. “We extend our gratitude to the Palisade and Grand Junction Police Departments, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for working together to further this investigation and bringing charges forward on Jimenez and Morrow.”

“The armed bank robbery was incredibly traumatic for the victims of the crime, especially the bank tellers and for the officer who responded to the bank,” said Palisade Police Chief Tony Erickson. “The robbery has not only impacted the bank employees, it also has had an impact on the police officers and the citizens of Palisade. Thanks to the hard work of the Palisade Police Department and the FBI, we were able to identify those responsible for the crime.”

If convicted, both men face not more than 25 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine for attempted armed bank robbery. In addition, Jimnez faces not more than 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for both being a fugitive from justice in possession of a handgun and for possession of a stolen firearm.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Palisade Police Department with assistance from the Grand Junction Police Department and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer.The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.